Hendricks County Flyer, Avon, IN

Local News

November 3, 2009

Avon police use new tactics to patrol parks, neighborhoods

AVON — With the parks in Avon expanding, the police force here was looking for alternative methods to patrol them.

That’s where Officer Ryan Grismore comes in. He now splits his street time duties between patrolling in a squad car and patrolling on a police bicycle.

“Seeing the increased usage of the park by the citizens of Avon, we felt (a bike patrol) would be a responsible thing to do,” Avon Police Chief Jack Miller said. “Having a police presence in the parks was rather difficult before the bike. There really weren’t financial resources to use a motorized vehicle like a quad or something like that.”

Seeing this, Avon Assistant Police Chief Bill Weems approached Avon Director of Public Works Ryan Cannon and asked if he had any funds to use for a bike patrol to use in the parks. After doing some research, Cannon found the money.

“Ryan (Grismore) also approached us and he had everything priced out,” Weems said. “He came up to my office after he heard we were considering doing a bike program. He did all the research and told us what we needed. He was all fired up about it.”

Grismore said it gives the community, as well as himself, several opportunities.

“I think that it’s good for me personally with personal fitness goals,” Grismore said. “Most importantly, it’s good for the community to put somebody in the park, which is expanding year by year, if not day by day. It gives us a presence in the park and hopefully we can curve crime.”

Grismore said it also gives him a different way to interact with the public.

“So far, the reaction from the public has been positive,” he said. “I’ve been through a few neighborhoods and the parks. After the initial curiosity wears off and people find out what you’re doing, I think you’re more apt to find information from people or they’re more apt to approach you if you aren’t in the confines of the squad car.”

The bike patrol has been in service for about two months and Miller said he’s heard only positive remarks.

“We have had some positive feedback, mainly from other town employees who know that we have the bicycle patrol,” Miller said. “They go out and use the park and see (Grismore) out on the bike. They will make a comment to (Weems) or I that they saw the bicycle officer out there and it looked good.”

His first day on the bike, Grismore said, allowed him to witness something that he might not have seen had he been in a marked police car.

“I was sitting in a neighborhood and I observed several people running a stop sign,” Grismore said. “The bike is equipped with full emergency equipment, so I stopped the car and issued a citation.”

During the winter months, Grismore will return to his squad car.



ryan.palencer@flyergroup.com

Text Only
Local News
  • County looks to battle water illnesses

    The week prior to Memorial Day serves as National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week.

    May 23, 2012

  • Howie Mandel to serve as 500 honorary announcer

    Howie Mandel, standup comedian and judge on “America’s Got Talent,” will serve as honorary announcer for the 96th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 27.

    May 23, 2012

  • tanning-bed.jpg Why do young white women risk cancer to be tan?

    A CDC report out this month found that nearly one in three white women aged 18 to 25 had used a tanning booth in the previous year. White women aged 18 to 21 went the most often, averaging 27.6 sessions per year—that’s over two sessions per month—while nearly 70 percent said they had gone at least 10 times in the last year.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • news race 4 cure.JPG BCSC raises $30,000 for Race for the Cure

    Basketball season may have ended a few months ago for the Bulldog community, but the school system decided to give the Susan G. Komen Foundation one extra large, record assist as they recently announced raising $30,000 in the Race for the Cure fight against breast cancer.

    May 22, 2012 1 Photo

  • Drive for Damon golf scramble set

    A golf scramble to raise money for disabled former Ben Davis High School basketball star Damon Parks is set for 1 p.m. June 3 at Riverside Golf Course in Indianapolis.

    May 22, 2012

  • Brownsburg fights back with Relay for Life

    For 24 hours, it will be non-stop community versus cancer in town as the Relay for Life event will takes place. The event will start at 5 p.m. June 1 at the Brownsburg West Middle School track.

    May 22, 2012

  • news dawes 1.jpg Dawes, county celebrate retirement

    The impact that Dennis Dawes has left on Hendricks Regional Health will not be soon forgotten.

    May 22, 2012 4 Photos

  • news belardi.JPG Young racing team plants roots and more in Brownsburg

    When Belardi Racing decided to uproot its operation and move to Hendricks County, they got the idea that maybe they should put some roots down.

    May 22, 2012 1 Photo

  • news 500 breafast 1.jpg 500 Festival celebrates with breakfast event

    With practices and qualifications going on at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday was a busy day for everyone involved.

    May 22, 2012 3 Photos

  • news wayne relay 1.jpg Relay returns

    With battling cancer and raising awareness in mind, the Wayne Township area hosted its Relay for Life this past weekend at the Chapel Hill 7th and 8th Grade Center.

    May 22, 2012 2 Photos

Facebook
Twitter Updates
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Poll

Would you support a same-sex marriage amendment in Indiana?

Yes
No
Not sure
     View Results
AP Video
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior Md. 911 Dispatcher Caught Sleeping on Job Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine Iowa Man With Zebra, Parrot in Truck Gets DUI Egyptians Pick New President in Free Election Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come 8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Echoes from the Titanic